The writers of Encouraging.com are celebrating their fifteen year landmark by making their 365 daily devotional book, God Moments, available as a free digital download! A total of thirty-six GABC writers have faithfully captured “moments of God’s presence” in their lives to encourage your own spiritual journey. You can find God Moments on amazon.com, iTunes, and BarnesandNoble.com.

NIV is used unless otherwise noted.

Desert Journeys

I am making a way in the desert and streams in the
wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

You
have just won an all expense paid trip to the desert! I don’t know about you,
but those words wouldn’t be exciting to me. The desert is typically a
wasteland, where survival is difficult at best. I would just as soon stay home!

However,
God planned a desert journey for Israel. He said, Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the
desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards and
will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the
days of her youth (Hosea 2:14-15).

Why
would God lead Israel into the desert? Israel was living in rebellion against
God and His ways. God knew that until Israel was taken to a place where she was
stripped of everything, she wouldn’t hear His voice.Deserts have a way of stripping everything
from us.

God
had a specific place in mind called the Valley of Achor. You and I have been
there.Achor means trouble. God was
going to allow the Israelites to enter a time of trouble, so that they would
begin to focus on Him and listen to His voice. This wouldn’t be a condemning
voice, but God’s tender voice of love, as He sought to restore their relationship.
Are you in the Valley of Trouble? Are you listening for the tender voice of
God, who wants to strengthen and refine your relationship with Him?

The
Valley of Trouble wasn’t God’s final destination for Israel. It isn’t God’s
final destination for you or me. The Valley of Trouble can become a door of
hope. Awareness of God’s Presence in the midst of trouble opens the door of
hope. Restoration of fellowship with God gives birth to singing!

If
you’re in the Valley of Trouble, listen carefully. You will hear God’s tender
voice, drawing you and giving you hope!

Thank You, God, for
transforming my Valley of Trouble into a door of hope!